Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer

Welcome to Cairns! Or Gimuy, in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Cairns is now located. This is the gateway to Australia’s gorgeous Daintree Rainforest and Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any local bars that take your fancy. After the meeting, maybe head out with your group for a dinner.

This morning board your private 4WD truck and head to the Daintree ferry which will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage area of Cape Tribulation within the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a short nature walk and immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of the forest, keeping your eye out for local birdlife. Daintree is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world! Stop at a lookout and enjoy the beach scenery, then hop back into your truck for the drive along the iconic Bloomfield Track – also known as the Coast Road, this track takes you from the cape through the forest’s many creeks. After, carry on to your accommodation in Rossville for the night, and if you like, join your group for an optional dinner at The Lion Den Hotel. After some pub food, spend the night stargazing at your campsite, overlooked by the Kalkajaka (Black Mountain). (L)

Fuel up on breakfast this morning, then meet a local Aboriginal guide. Start with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, then take a bush food and medicine walk as your guide tells you stories about the land. You’ll learn about boomerang throwing and learn more about Country. Have tea together and soak up your opportunity to connect with the land. Next head to the Cooktown History Centre and learn more about the significance of Cooktown and what role it played in Aboriginal history. Say goodbye to the rainforest to make tracks for Laura, where you’ll have the opportunity to take the self-guided walk to Quinkan Country’s rock art. Included on the Australian Heritage Estate and listed by UNESCO as being among the top 10 rock art sites in the world, these Aboriginal paintings are worth the tricky, uphill walk! Tonight, you’ll stay in a local campground and enjoy dinner as a group. (B/L/D)

After breakfast, make tracks for Coen – a rural town on the eastern side of the Cape York peninsula. When you arrive, visit the Coen Heritage House and wander around the displays depicting the local gold-mining past. After lunch, carry on to Archer River, where you’ll spend the night. Today will be a bit of a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got your book, favourite playlist or road games handy. Have dinner at your campsite tonight – Archer River Roadhouse. Positioned on 400 hectares of native bush landscape, this site sits in the remote wilderness. If you’re lucky, you might spot some local wildlife as the sun goes down. (B/L/D)

This morning you’ll walk through Wenlock Goldfield – heritage-listed goldmine ruins in Archer River, which were originally built from 1892 to the 1950s. Driving through the Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, your next stop will be the Mount Tozer viewpoint, where you take a short walk for views of the mountain, which rises in the distance. Tonight, you’ll stay within the national park at Chilli Beach, camping right next to the beach under swaying palm trees. This is a popular spot for campers, for fishing, birdwatching and chilling out in this remote beach landscape. Have dinner as a group at the camp site, watch the sunset through the palm trees and maybe sit around the fire, watching the stars come out. (B/L/D)

Just a short drive from Chilli Beach sits the small coastal community of Portland Roads. This remote tropical outpost is a historical site framed by mangroves and famous for its small local cafe. If open, why not sit down for a coffee and a snack. Carry on to the Lockhart River Arts Indigenous Corporation. Established in 1995, the artists of Lockhart River Art Centre have been recognised for many years as ‘The Art Gang’. After, visit Quintel Beach, then head to your campground for the night on Wenlock River – you'll be staying at Moreton Telegraph Station for the next two nights, giving you the chance to really settle in. (B/L/D)

This morning, you’ll drive to the Western Cape Cultural Centre in Weipa. Here, you’ll learn about the history and culture of the region of Weipa and its surrounding communities. This centre plays an important role in preserving traditional language within the region through informative displays and artworks. After, you’ll hop on a boat cruise to see Cape York's mangroves from the water – look out for saltwater crocodiles and the numerous bird species that live in these waterways and mangroves and learn about the local culture and wildlife habitats. After, visit Lake Patricia and head out on a short walk with your leader around the area. Tonight, you’ll have dinner back at your campground on the river and spend another night under the stars. (B/L/D)

This morning, you’ll carry on to Kennedy’s Lost Camp to learn about Edmund Besley Court Kennedy J.P. – an Australian explorer in the mid-19th-century, known for his knowledge of (and untimely end in) Cape York. You’ll then visit Fruit Bat Falls, which sits within Apudthama National Park. These lush, bushy falls are a beautiful spot for a nature walk and a swim! After a refreshing dip, carry on to the Jardine River ferry for the short journey to Seisia – home to the most northerly mainland community in Queensland and a gorgeous spot with almost untouched beaches, still waters and palm trees. You’ll spend the next three nights in the local caravan park and have dinner with your group at the site. (B/L/D)

Today, you’ll drive to the northernmost point of the mainland of Australia – Pajinka (also known as 'The Tip'). Once you cross this mighty spot off your bucket list with a walk along the inland route, carry on to Somerset Beach and Fly Point for a beach visit and some photos, trying to spot the resident turtles. Then, carry on to the plane wreckages from World War II – located throughout Cape York, there are now plane wreckages where there were functioning Allied air bases during the war. These are a reminder of how close the fight really was to Australian shores. End the day with a visit to the remote community of Injinoo (also known as Cowal Creek or Small River) then take some time to wander through the town of Bamaga and stock up on snacks before making your way back to Seisia for the night. (B/L/D)

This morning, jump on the daily local ferry to Thursday Island, the economical and administrative heart of the vast Torres Strait Islands archipelago, occupying the waters between the Australian mainland and Papua New Guinea. Once arrived in the main settlement meet with a local Torres Strait Islander guide for a cultural activity. You’ll learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait Islander people on a guided walk along Bayo Beach. Enjoy your time in this tropical paradise, and perhaps try the local crayfish toastie, a specialty of the island. In the afternoon jump back aboard the ferry and glide through turquoise waters back to the mainland for your last night in Seisia. (B/L/D)

Today after breakfast, you’ll say goodbye to Seisia and take a transfer to Bamaga Airport, where you’ll leave your leader and take an unaccompanied flight back to Cairns. Upon arival in Cairns, your adventure will come to an end at the airport. If you’d like to extend your stay in Cairns, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)